Norton’s Café Racer stars at NEC!

The stunning new Norton Café Racer is proving one of the star attractions at this week’s International Motorcycle Show at Birmingham’s NEC.

• Video: Norton Commando 961 SE

The bike, which was exclusively revealed by MCN first and then publicly unveiled at the show, is based on Norton’s existing 961 Commando but with significant changes to give it a more aggressive, sporty attitude.

The most obvious difference – apart from the striking yellow paint – are the lowered bars and neat headlamp cowling.

But in addition there are a number of significant changes to its running gear. At the front is a suspension/brakes set-up worthy of a full-on superbike: meaty, fully adjustable inverted Ohlins forks which hold radially-mounted Brembo Monobloc callipers and discs.

While in place of the 961 SE’s exotic carbon-fibre BST wheels, the Café Racer sits on more traditional and conventional – but equally striking-looking – black anodised, alloy-rimmed wires.

At the rear, the matching black wheel is twinned with an equally black sprocket while the twin Ohlins piggy back shocks are fitted, as with the SE, with special ‘Norton black’ springs.

Norton personnel said that the public response their bikes received at the NEC had been “Awesome” and had also attracted the likes of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.

Priced £13,495, production of the Café Racer is scheduled to commence in the New Year.